Apply sun block to pets with short white fur, particularly on ears and the tops of noses as they are the most prone to sunburn. Use a product suitable for babies.

Ensure your pets – cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs – have access to plenty of fresh water. Change the water frequently – no one links to drink hot, stale water. Pop a small ice cube into the bowl.

Never leave your dog in a hot car! The heat quickly reaches unbearable temperatures even with a window slightly open and it can kill. The same goes for caravans – and conservatories at home.

If your cat goes outside, make sure he has some shade to hide in, be it a shrub or a sunshade. If you can, keep him in during the hottest parts of the day.

Horses and ponies should have somewhere to shelter from hot sun, but if possible, limit the time they are outside to the coolest parts of the day. Consider buying your horse a fly mask and/or a fly rug that can also offer UV sun protection. If he has a white/pink muzzle a proprietary equine sunscreen/zinc oxide cream is essential to protect against sunburn.

Exercise your dog at the coolest time of the day, avoiding the mid-day sun if temperatures are set to reach 29 degrees or more. Watch out for hot pavements on very hot days, as paw pads will burn. If it’s too hot for you to touch, it’s too hot for an animal’s paws. Grass is usually cooler, so head to the playing field (with a lead!).

Treat your pet to a regular groom, especially long coated dogs and cats who’ll be feeling the heat and will appreciate help with losing shedded hair. A professional pet groomer can help with a trim or thorough bathe and groom session.

If your elderly cat or dog doesn’t cope well in the heat invest in a ‘cool pad’ for them to lie on. Filled with cooling gel, they can be placed in your pet’s usual bed.

Take water with you on longer summer walks with your dog. Pack a water bottle and a collapsible water dish.